Background Notes provide a summary or snapshot of a major issue in development.

The experience of election observers: lessons for the process of timber verification VERIFOR Comparative Case Study 6
As is the case with independent monitors in the timber sector, election observers are responding to an element of doubt over the functioning of a routine process. They act to check on the veracity of claims, to improve the performance of the managing institutions and the overall governance system, and increase the legitimacy of the operations under review. This VERIFOR paper's case study discussion covers key questions arising in the verification debate, namely that of how to promote independence and ownership over the system; and the implications of the activity for the promotion of a broader concept of good governance.
Cecilia Luttrell and Robert Nash	January 2008
Recent international trade patterns in timber products for the Verifor case study countries VERIFOR Information Note
A major driver behind the development of national verification systems is the expectation that exported timber may soon have to demonstrate that it has been produced in compliance with the laws of the producer country. For example, this is a key element of the Voluntary Partnership Agreements (VPAs) being developed under the EU’s FLEGT Action Plan. The nature of timber product exports is therefore likely to be a key determinant of how different producer countries move forward this reform agenda. The twelve Verifor country case studies encompass a wide range of situations, with different levels of exports, different key markets and differing recent trends evident. This note examines trade across these countries, to help understand the different stages of legal verification to be found in each country.
Neil Bird	December 2007
Human Rights and Poverty Reduction. Public goods and private rights: The illegal logging debate and the rights of the poor Rights in Action Background Paper
Public goods and private rights: The illegal logging debate and the rights of the poor
David Brown, Adrian Wells, Cecilia Luttrell and Neil Bird	March 2005
Ghana's Experience in Timber Verification System Design VERIFOR case study
Case study from the VERIFOR Project: Institutional Options for Forest Verification
Neil Bird, Timothée Fometé and Gene Birikorang	2006
Systems for Verification of Legality in the Forest Sector, Malaysia VERIFOR Country Case Study 8
A country case study from the VERIFOR Project: Institutional Options for Forest Verification
Adrian Wells	2006
The Experience of Independent Forest Monitoring in Cambodia VERIFOR Country Case Study 4
This is a case study from the VERIFOR Project: Institutional Options for Forest Verification
Cecilia Luttrell	July 2006
Verification in the Forest Sector of British Columbia, Canada VERIFOR Country Case Study 2
This case study examines the role of the Forest Practices Board, an independent public watchdog in the forest sector of British Columbia. It is an output of the VERIFOR Project: Institutional Options for Forest Verification
Kate Schreckenberg	June 2006
Policy Planning and Implementation Series. No. 17: 'National Forest Programmes' Key Sheet No. 17
National forest programmes (nfps) are a globally adopted framework for forest policy, planning and implementation at the country level.
Neil Bird	November 2002